Overview

Metaphorically Speaking ...
If MQSeries® messaging were the national highway network and your
applications were the towns and cities connected by the highway network,
then the adapters are the on-off ramps.

With the availability of this release, you no longer need Adapter Use
Proof of Entitlement (PoE) to use the Adapter Kernel.

MQSeries
 is the core of the MQSeries family  base messaging servers and
clients provide once, and once only, message and queuing capability on
more than 35 platforms.

MQSeries Adapter Offering
 provides a framework and tools that build and customize MQSeries
adapters for existing and new, prepackaged or custom-developed
applications.

MQSeries Everyplace
 extends the capabilities of MQSeries base messaging to mobile
workers using laptops, PDAs, and telephones. It brings all the benefits
of MQSeries messaging, including rock-solid security, to a failure-prone
environment.

MQSeries Integrator:

Combines a one-to-many connectivity model, plus:

Transformation

Intelligent routing

Information-flow modelling

Facilitates the development of new application services that comprise the
functions of multiple, disparate existing business systems

MQSeries Workflow
 a business process management system that facilitates the rapid
development and management of the business processes that integrate the
IT and organizational infrastructure.

Key Prerequisites

Operating System for MQSeries Adapter Builder Control Center

Microsoft Windows NT, V4, (Service Pack 6)

Windows 2000

Operating System for MQSeries Adapter Kernel

Microsoft Windows NT, V4, (Service Pack 6)

AIX 4.3.3

OS/400, V4R4 and OS/400, V4R5

Sun Solaris 8

HP-UX, Version 11.0

Windows 2000

Planned Availability Date

May 18, 2001

Description

MQSeries Adapter Offering

The MQSeries Adapter Offering is intended to provide all the adapters
that you need in today's MQSeries-based application integration
environment. MQSeries Adapter Offering enables you to build two types of
adapters, namely C and Java.

Adapters simplify application integration.

An adapter provides the interface to an application or from an
application.

Typically, an adapter is specific to a message type sent to or from an
application.

A source adapter accepts or acquires structured data from a source
application. It transforms the structured data into an intermediate
message format and, via the kernel, puts the message onto an MQSeries
queue for delivery to one or more target adapters, and then to the target
application.

A target adapter:

Receives a message via the kernel and MQSeries that has been sent by a
source adapter

Processes the intermediate formatted message into an application-specific
formatted message that the target application can receive

Sends the message to the target application via an application-specific
interface

A Java service adapter can function as a source adapter, target adapter,
or both, depending on how it is modeled. An example of a Java service
adapter is an adapter created for purchase order processing. The
purchase order service adapter is derived from several microflows. Each
microflow models a business task, such as creating, updating, validating,
and deleting a purchase order.

Depending upon how an adapter is modelled, it can contain a wide variety
of functions, such as:

Controlflow

Dataflow

Sequential navigation

Conditional branching, including:

Decision and iteration

Data typing

Storing data context

Transformation of data elements

Logical operations

Custom code

Adapters that you have created may be reused.

Several examples of adapters are:

Add a sales order

Synchronize a customer record

Synchronize an inventory record

Synchronize an item

Synchronize a sales order

The MQSeries Adapter Offering is used to build and run adapters that
connect applications, including packaged applications such as SAP, J.D.
Edwards, Siebel, and PeopleSoft to each other:

Via MQSeries messaging

Into the wider MQSeries messaging environment

Adapters transform data so that data from one application (SAP) can be
understood by another application (BAAN)

One adapter transforms the message from SAP to an intermediate message
format transported within the MQSeries Adapter Offering via MQSeries
messaging.

Another adapter transforms the message from the intermediate message
format to BAAN.

Generally, the Open Application Group, Inc. (OAG) Business Object
Document (BOD) XML format is used as the intermediate message format.
Other formats can be used instead.

The MQSeries Adapter Offering has two elements:

MQSeries Adapter Kernel used during run-time

MQSeries Adapter Builder used during build-time

MQSeries Adapter Kernel

The MQSeries Adapter Kernel consists of a set of APIs and several
executable programs in C and Java and several configuration files.

The kernel enables the deployment and execution of the adapters.

In addition to directly supporting adapters, the kernel performs related
functions. Among the most important is the simple routing of messages
and infrastructure services such as:

Message construction

Tracing

Interfacing with MQSeries and JMS

The MQSeries Adapter Kernel is now available on Windows NT, Windows 2000,
AIX, Sun Solaris, HP-UX, and OS/400.

MQSeries Adapter Builder

The Adapter Builder can be used to generate C or Java adapters. The tool
offers a visual environment in which the user specifies the adapter flow
and data mapping behavior by dragging and dropping nodes on a graph.
Basic constructs such as decisions, mapping, and looping are included as
built-in nodes. They are used as building blocks to form a specific
adapter. C adapters and Java adapters are generated in the form of
source code and other files that aid in build and deployment to the
Adapter Kernel.

MQSeries Adapter Builder is available on Windows NT and Windows 2000.

The MQSeries Adapter Builder is installed on each machine where it is to
be used. Definitions managed by the tool can be shared between users via
the repository import/export mechanism.

Planning Information

Direct Customer Support:
Direct customer support is provided by SupportLine. This fee
service can enhance your productivity by providing voice and electronic
access into the IBM support organization. SupportLine helps answer
questions pertaining to usage and suspected software defects for eligible
products.

Installation and technical support is provided by IBM Global Services.
For more information call 800-IBM-4YOU (426-4968).

IBM Adapter and Integration Services:
IBM Adapter and Integration Services for MQSeries provides
customers, business partners, and service providers with implementation
and consultancy services to build adapters that interface applications to
MQSeries so they can be integrated with other applications in the
enterprise or beyond. The Adapter and Integration Services teams are
part of the IBM worldwide Application and Integration Middleware Services
organization and have implemented adapters to many of the popular
packaged applications. Starting from a reference definition, similar to
a blueprint, of how a particular application can be interfaced to
MQSeries, the team is able to rapidly build an adapter tailored to a
customer's specific requirements.

For services information related to IBM Adapter and Integration Services,
contact an IBM representative or visit:

SmoothStart Services:
SmoothStart Services for MQSeries provides customers with planning
and installation services for MQSeries Solutions to ensure that their
MQSeries environment is quickly up and running. An IBM specialist spends
a week, or longer, depending on customer requirements, working with the
customer's technical and programming staff to increase productivity and
accelerate implementation of MQSeries licensed software in the customer
business environment.

Planning Services for MQSeries Solutions:
IBM Planning Services for MQSeries Solutions are a customized
service designed to help you with a plan to implement an MQSeries
Solution within your organization. With this service, you can customize
how the plan is created; IBM Planning Services for MQSeries Solutions can
create the plan for you by collecting the necessary business requirements
and infrastructure information, or can work with your staff to create the
MQSeries plan. In addition, IBM Planning Services for MQSeries Solutions
can assist in designing your system network architecture, developing
deployment and application migration plans, and recovery planning of
MQSeries objects and data.

Design Services for MQSeries Applications:
IBM Design Services for MQSeries Applications helps you produce
high- and low-level designs for your MQSeries applications including
assistance in modifying or writing applications to take full advantage of
your MQSeries environment. This offering can be customized and may
include assistance in evaluating your test plans and making sure your
applications perform effectively.

This program, when downloaded from a Web site, contains the applicable
IBM license agreement, and License Information (LI), if appropriate and
will be presented for acceptance at the time of installation of the
program. The license and LI will be stored in a directory such as
LICENSE.TXT for future reference.

Security, Auditability, and Control

The announced program uses the security and auditability features of the
operating system.

In addition, MQSeries implements a level of security, including access
control of queues and authorization identification between message queue
managers.

The customer is responsible for evaluation, selection, and implementation
of security features, administrative procedures, and appropriate controls
in application systems and communication facilities.

Ordering Information

Terms and Conditions

Requirement for Adapter Use Entitlement:
The requirement to have Adapter Use Proof of Entitlement (PoE) in
order to use the Adapter Kernel is removed with the availability of this
new release. Part number 0784765 will be withdrawn in a separate
announcement.

Licensing:
IBM International Program License Agreement. Proofs of Entitlement
are required for all authorized use.

License Information Form Number

CT85YIE  MQSeries Adapter Builder, V1.0

CT869NA  MQSeries Adapter Kernel for Multiplatforms, V1.1

Limited Warranty Applies:
Yes

Program Services:
Available until December 31, 2002

Money-Back Guarantee:
30-day, money-back guarantee

Copy and Use on Home/Portable Computer:
No

Volume Orders (IVO):
No

Passport Advantage Applies:
Yes

Passport Advantage Subscription Applies:
Yes

Support Line:
Yes

AIX/UNIX® Upgrade Protection Applies:
No

Entitled Upgrade for Current AIX/UNIX Upgrade Protection Licensees:
No

AS/400® Software Subscription Applies:
No

Variable Charges Apply:
No

Educational Allowance Available:
Not applicable

Prices

The prices provided in this announcement are suggested retail prices for
the U.S. only and are provided for your information only. Dealer prices
may vary, and prices may also vary by country. Prices are subject to
change without notice. For additional information and current prices,
contact your local IBM representative.

The charges are unchanged by this announcement.

Customer Financing:
IBM Global Financing offers attractive financing to credit-qualified
commercial and government customers and Business Partners in more than 40
countries. IBM Global Financing is provided by the IBM Credit
Corporation in the United States. Offerings, rates, terms, and
availability may vary by country. Contact your local IBM Global
Financing organization. Country organizations are listed at: